THE IMPLICATIONS OF PAGER USE FOR THE THERAPEUTIC RELATIONSHIP IN INDEPENDENT PRACTICE

Therapist accessibility by pagers raises many questions regarding betw een-session and within-session calls. What are the main purposes of pa gers in clinical settings, and what are the rationales for their use? The authors explored the parameters established by clinicians regardin g pagers and how these expectations were communicated to patients. The degree of interference the clinician allows in the therapy session wh en paged is pivotal because of the potentially distancing, distracting , and enervating effect this may have on the relationship. The implica tions for the therapist's private life and his or her significance in the patient's life are considered.